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Since the last report the library has been moved into the new building presented by James Danielson Lincoln, in memory of
his mother, Sarah E. Danielson and his wife, Mrs. Eliza T.M. Lincoln. The building was dedicated Thursday, June 30, and was
first open for the distribution of books Saturday, July 3. To say that the library's new home in its beauty and convenience
has been enjoyed and appreciated by its patrons but partially indicates the expressions of praise that invariably have been
heard, as the library has been visited. The building, in its style, and its construction of field stone is felt to be peculiarly
adapted to its rural setting; while the interior is artistic, simple and homelike. One apt remark voiced the impression given
by the reading room. It was made by an Academy pupil living in another town, who said, "Why, this seems more like a home than
a library!" She realized the absence of the institutional appearance which is usually so forbidding. It has been the policy of
the Brimfield library to make people feel at home and entitled to all the privileges that can be given. This spirit is increased
by the attractiveness and hospitable atmosphere of the new building. And there is the additional benefit of beauty of
surroundings, a source of enjoyment and culture. The large fireplace built of native stone is a feature which makes the reading
room particularly home-like, and when a fire has occasionally been kindled it has drawn a circle around it. A number of young
people had never before seen an open wood fire, and one of our well-known townsmen said, "This is better than books for me." The
furniture of the reading room from the United Craftsman workshops of Syracuse, N.Y., is peculiarly adapted to the character and
the design of the room. It is an education in itself, as an example of simplicity, perfect proportion and form, thorough
workmanship and adaption to its purpose. Taken all in all, the new library with its fine collection of books may be said to be
in harmony with the life of Brimfieldwhich has been characterized by the love of reading and quiet home life, good taste and
hospitality. DEDICATION The dedication exercises held in the town hall had for their key-note, love of home and loyalty to Brimfield, in keeping with the memorial nature of the gift; while those who participated in them were connected with the town by ancestral ties, or through old associations or especial interest. The opening address by Dr. Robert V. Sawin following the invocation by Rev. Samuel Eaton had for its theme the love of country and home. The keys were presented, in behalf of the giver of the library, by his nephew, Frank Lincoln Pierce of Newtonville, descended from John Danielson, a proprietor of the town of Brimfield. They were accepted in behalf of the trustees by Charles C. Brown, a descendent of one of the early settlers of the town. Dr. E. W. Norwood of Spencer, who gave the history of the Brimfield library, was long a principal of the Hitchcock Free Academy and an active citizen of the town. Mrs. Alice Ormes Allen of Stockbridge, who read a poem, Henry Knight Hyde of Ware, and Salem D. Charles of Boston, who spoke on "The Ancestral Town," are descended from founders of Brimfield. Prof. Charles E. Fay of Tufts college was introduced as a son-in-law of Brimfield, and Rev. W.E. Waterbury of Springfield spoke as one of the new friends for whom Brimfield has a strong attraction. GIFTS During the reception held in the new library building after the dedication exercises, a number of valuable gifts were announced. A portrait of the giver of the library hanging above the fire-place was the gift of the artist, Philip A. Butler of Boston. From Mrs. Eudocia Converse Flynt of Monson, a native of Brimfield, a check for $100 had been received. A handsome fire set was the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury Melcher of North Attleboro, and a statuette of the Venus de Milo was the gift of Miss Dorothy Melcher. A Persian rug before the fire-place had been presented by Mrs. Clifford Thompson of New York. There were valuable books from George A. Bacon of Springfield, a native of Brimfield. Since that time the librarian has received the sum of $10.00 from Alfred L. Converse of Warren, and $5.00 from Miss Laura Boorman, to be expended for the library. Gifts of recently published books have been: "The Historian's History of the World," in 25 volumes, and other books from James D. Lincoln; 30 volumes of the novels of Anthony Trollope from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lee of Boston, five volumes from Miss A.E. Fisher of Boston, and "The History of American Sculpture" from J. Randolph Coolidge, Jr., of Boston. Books have been given by N. Thayer of Lancaster; books and magazines by Miss Lucy Lowell of Boston; books and magazines by Miss Boorman, and books by Miss Florence Bliss. Mrs. Robert Lewis has given the year's subscription to "Country Life in America," Mrs. F. Lincoln Peirce has continued the subscription to "The Ladies Home Journal," and Miss Boorman has subscribed for "The Craftsman." Mrs. Charles M. Hyde has presented views of Florence and large photographs of Rome. Mr. Lincoln has given a fine old engraving, "The First Blow for Liberty," and mr. and Mrs. John F. Converse have recently given beautiful copies of portraits of George Washington and Martha Washington. Miss Boorman has given a book of rare prints relating to the poet, Burns. Miss A.E. Fisher has given the year's subscription to "Our Four-Footed Friends." The Springfield City Library has sent its valuable monthly bulletin. Sums of 25 cents and upwards have been received from summer visitors for the "picture fund." The furniture of the reading room was a special gift from Mr. Lincoln. There is encouragement and help in any gift to the library, however small. A single book or photograph finds an important place. STATISTICS There has been added to the circulating department, aside from bound volumes of magazines, 236 volumes, of which 157 volumes have been presented. Thirteen magazines have been subscribed for by the library, and three have been presented. The number of persons who have taken out books, including visitors in town, is 440. The number of books taken is approximately 4,429, and of magazines, 1,066. The circulation in the center of the town has been greater than it was last year, but it has been impossible to have as many books distributed in the outlying districts on account of unavoidable circumstances. TRAVELING LIBRARY A traveling library on Italian art loaned by the Woman's Education Association of Boston was returned in September, and at present we have a library on Egypt consisting of 23 volumes and 114 large pictures. This is the eighth traveling library received from the Association to whose library committee we are indebted for these unusual advantages, and also for advice, donations and help in various ways. HISTORICAL EXHIBITION Washington's birthday, which came on a day for regularly opening the library, was observed by an exhibition of historical articles and documents and other antiquities. The library has come into possession of letters and documents relating to the past of Brimfield, and some ancient books, from the collection made by the late Henry F. Brown. These were shown, and, in addition, there were ancient newspapers, documents, books, articles of household use and specimens of handiwork of the olden time loaned for the occasion. The primary school visited the exhibition in a body and gave a patriotic exercise. Nearly a hundred people, including pupils of the Academy and town schools, were in attendance, and the exhibition was enjoyed by many others on the following days of library opening. The library was converted into a place where history could be studied outside of books, and where the young people could be impressed with the life of the past. The town is greatly indebted to Mr. Brown for his careful preservation of historical material, and few libraries have such a possession as ours. Are there not other people who have articles or documents of historical interest of any kind who will place them in the library? Such things are less liable to be lost or destroyed in such abuilding than in a dwelling home. OUTLYING DISTRICTS Miss Bertha BlodgeTt has continued to distribute books from the station at West Brimfield and speaks of the appreciation with which they are received. She reports 214 loans, each averaging two readers in a family. Mrs. Davenport of East Brimfield has been unable to distribute books, as she has done for several years past, but hopes to be able to resume the work soon. This makes a falling off in the circulation in the town to the number of about 700 loans, taking past years as a standard. NEEDS There are immediate necessities for the successful conducting of the library, and there is a large need. The first necessity is provision for lighting. So far, the library has been very imperfectly lighted by means of borrowed lamps. The inconvenience of this arrangement and the difficulty of seeing by the dim light have made a real hardship in managing the library Saturday evenings. The next necessity is a full card catalog, similar to the one in use at the academy library. The work of cataloging has been begun by the aid of contributed funds, but these being exhausted, it is now at a stand still. A card catalog case is needed and a table for magazines corresponding to the other furniture. The large need is of endowment funds. Mr. Lincoln has given a beautiful building. It is to be hoped that others like Mrs. Flynt who turn to Brimfield as their ancestral home, will give funds to increase the library's advantages and its usefulness. DONATIONS OF VOLUMES AND PAMPHLETS
Respectfully submitted, |